As parents, it can be tough to decide whether your child is “sick enough” to stay home—or okay to go to school. We get this question all the time, especially during cold and flu season.

Here’s a simple guide to help you make the right call while keeping your child—and others—safe and healthy.

🌡️ Fever

Keep your child home if they have a fever of 100.4°F or higher.

✅ They can return when:

• Fever-free for at least 24 hours
• Without fever-reducing medication (Tylenol or Motrin)

🤢 Vomiting or Diarrhea

Keep your child home if they have:

• Vomiting
• Frequent loose or watery stools

✅ They can return when:

• No vomiting for 24 hours
• Eating and drinking normally
• No signs of dehydration

😷 Cough, Cold, or Runny Nose

Not all colds require staying home.

🚫 Keep them home if:

• Cough is severe, persistent, or disrupting activity/sleep
• They have a fever along with symptoms
• They are too tired or uncomfortable to participate

✅ Okay to attend if:

• Mild runny nose or occasional cough
• No fever and acting like themselves

👁️ Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)

Keep your child home if:

• Eyes are red with thick yellow/green drainage
• Eyes are crusted shut

✅ They can return when:

• Treatment has started (if prescribed)
• Drainage is improving

🦠 Strep Throat

Keep your child home if diagnosed with strep.

✅ They can return when:

• On antibiotics for at least 24 hours
• Fever-free and feeling better

🦠 Flu, COVID, or Other Viral Illness

Keep your child home if they have:

• Fever
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Respiratory symptoms

✅ They can return when:

• Fever-free for 24 hours
• Symptoms are improving
• Able to participate in normal activities

🧠 Trust the “Well Enough” Rule

Even without a specific diagnosis, keep your child home if they:

• Are overly tired or not themselves
• Cannot participate in normal activities
• Need more care than school staff can provide

📄 Do You Need a Doctor’s Note?

In many cases, a note requires an in-office visit.

If your child needs a school excuse, please call us to schedule an appointment so we can properly evaluate and document their illness.

📞 When to Call Our Office

Please contact us if:

• Fever lasts more than 2 days
• Symptoms are worsening instead of improving
• You’re unsure whether your child should be seen
• Your child needs a school or daycare note

We’re always here to help guide you.

💛 Final Thought

When in doubt, it’s always okay to keep your child home for a day of rest. It helps them recover faster and prevents the spread of illness to classmates, teachers, and other families.

‍